Public Entities and Joint Power Authorities (JPA)
The Office of Self-Insurance Plans (OSIP) authorizes qualified employers to provide their own coverage for workers' compensation liabilities. A public self-insurer is any county, city, school district, special purpose district, joint powers authority or other municipal corporation that has been issued and lawfully holds a valid Certificate to Self-Insure its workers’ compensation liabilities. A Joint Powers Authority (JPA) is a public entity created by an agreement of two or more public agencies with the purpose of forming workers’ compensation liability pooling arrangements. A self-insured JPA has been issued and lawfully holds a valid Certificate to Self-Insure its workers’ compensation liabilities. California has one of the largest self-insurance programs in the nation and has some of the strongest regulations designed to ensure the system protects both employers and employees.
Public/JPA Self-Insurance by the Numbers - 2024/25
$189 Billion total self-insured payroll
2.2 Million CA Workers covered by self-insurance
3,596 CA Public Agencies are active self-insurers
$10.6 Billion Estimated Claims Reserves (EFL)
$3.3 Billion Medical and Indemnity payments
196,149 Open Workers' Compensation cases
Roster of Public and JPAs
Public/JPA Standalone Master Employer Self-Insurance Entry Prerequisites
There are no financial prerequisites for public or JPA employers wanting entry into self-insurance.
Public/JPA Employer Self-Insurance Application Process
Here is what is needed for a public and JPA Self-Insurance application:
COMPLETE PUBLIC/JPA MASTER APPLICATION CHECKLIST:
| Form # | Description | Sealed/Notarized? |
|---|---|---|
| A – 2 | Application for a Public Agency Certificate of Consent to Self-Insure | Yes (Page 5) |
COMPLETE JPA MEMBER APPLICATION CHECKLIST:
| Form # | Description | Sealed/Notarized? |
|---|---|---|
| A - 3A | Public Interim Application (Not required if A-2 is complete)* | No |
| A – 2 | Application for a Public Agency Certificate of Consent to Self-Insure | Yes (Page 5) |
*A public interim application (A-3A) is only necessary for immediate coverage when a public permanent application (A-2) is incomplete.
Public/JPA Employer Self-Insurance Yearly Maintenance
Here are the yearly requirements needed to maintain Self-Insured status. The tables below show what is due, the due date, and how to submit.
Per §15203.8, the employer must contact their OSIP analyst within 30 days of a change in name, organizational structure, or business structure. If you do not know your OSIP analyst, please call OSIP headquarters at (916) 464-7000.
| What is Due | Due Date | How to Submit |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Report | October 1 | |
| J-1 Form (JPA’s Only) | October 1 | Email to your OSIP analyst |
| Audited Financial Statement (JPA’s Only) | Sent with J-1 Form by October 1 | Email to your OSIP analyst |
| P-1 Form (Public Standalone Employers Only) | October 1 | Email to your OSIP analyst |
| AR-2 Addendum | October 1 | Email to your OSIP analyst |
| Assessment Fee | December 31 |
Public Entity Reports
New Public Entity Reporting Guidelines and FAQs 2021
- Public Self-Insured Annual Reports 2024-25
- Public Self-Insured Annual Reports 2023-24
- Public Self-Insured Annual Reports 2022-23
- Public Self-Insured Annual Reports 2021-22
- Public Self-Insured Annual Reports 2020-21
- Public Self-Insured Annual Reports 2019-20
- Public Self-Insured Annual Reports 2018-19
- Public Self-Insured Annual Reports 2017-18
- Public Self-Insured Annual Reports 2016-17
- Public Self-Insured Annual Reports 2015-16
- Public Self-Insured Annual Reports 2014-15
- Public Self-Insured Annual Reports 2013-14
- Public Self-Insured Annual Reports 2012-13
- Public Self-Insured Annual Reports 2011-12
- Public Self-Insured Annual Reports 2010-11
- Public Self-Insured Annual Reports 2009-10
- Public Self-Insured Annual Reports 2008-09
- Public Self-Insured Annual Reports 2007-08
May 2026